Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody Review

Updated: March 29, 2023
Arcteryx-Cerium-LT-Hoody-Review

The Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody is warm, lightweight, durable and comfortable, with very few things we dislike.

Two features that really set this jacket apart are the elastic cuff which prevent the sleeves from riding up while moving your arms, and the special placement of Coreloft synthetic insulation,  which allows the  jacket to perform well even in prolonged wet conditions.

We highly recommend this jacket.

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Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody Review

Ideal for active adventures like hiking and climbing

Manufacturer: Arc'teryx

Pros

  • Adjustable hood drawcords
  • 850-fill power down
  • Very lightweight (10.8 oz/ 30 grams)
  • Synthetic insulation (Coreloft)

Cons

  •  Does not shed sweat out the sleeves
  •  Pricey

Conclusion

This high-end down jacket contains 850-fill down with synthetic Coreloft insulation, in a 20x10D ripstop shell. It is lightweight, breathable, water-resistant and windproof. The jacket was designed with ease of movement and comfort in mind. The sleeves won’t ride up while you’re climbing, and it will keep you warm in frigid conditions.


The Cerium LT was made to last. It is very durable with its 20x10D shell, which will remain in good condition, even after prolonged use and exposure to wet conditions.


The durable water repellent coating (DWR) ensures that light moisture rolls right off, and the jacket will dry quickly. The warmth and water-resistance are basic features that all down jackets have. It is the synthetic insulation that sets the Cerium apart from competitors.


The jacket is fitted with a full front zipper with chin guard, elastic cuffs and adjustable drawcords on the hood. All of these serve the dual purpose of sealing in the warmth and preventing drafts.


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Best Down Jackets

Finding the correct down jacket for hiking and adventures at altitude for your needs and budget can be a tricky task and sifting through the troves of reviews can be time consuming and confusing. To make things easier, check out our expert review on the five Best Down Jackets for Hiking.

Key Features

Warmth, Insulation and Draft Prevention

The Arc’teryx hoody provides excellent warmth and insulation. It has 850-fill power down and uses Coreloft synthetic insulation for added warmth and water-resistance. The dual insulation makes this hoody very warm and therefore great for winter mountain climbing.

As with all down jackets, the main concern is moisture. When the down becomes wet (even a little), it turns to pulp. This would be very uncomfortable for the wearer.

However, due to the Coreloft synthetic insulation, the Cerium experiences this problem much less than other down jackets. The insulation is placed in sections that are most prone to moisture, which makes this hoody great for wet conditions.

The Cerium was also created with elastic cuffs, a full front zip with chin guard and drawcords on the hem and hood. This means that the jacket will seal in warmth and prevent drafts from entering.

The adjustable drawcords on the hood also ensures that you can seal in warmth and be protected from wind, snow and light rain, without having your field of vision hampered by the hood.

Weight and Water Resistance

The Arc'teryx Cerium is an incredibly lightweight jacket, weighing only 10.8 oz (30 grams). While there are lighter jackets on the market, the Cerium gains its extra weight due to the added synthetic insulation and the more heavier material used for the outer shell. A mix of 20x10D ensures durability, without excessive weight.

It comes with a stuff sack build into the inside of the jacket, which also doubles as an internal pocket. The jacket compresses quite well into the stuff sack, and its light weight ensures that it will not become an extra burden should you decide to layer-down, or if you are taking the jacket along in case an extra layer is needed.

The 20x10D ripstop shell and lining is coated with durable water repellent (DWR), ensuring that light rain and snow will pebble and roll off. The hoody was designed and created carefully, ensuring that the mix of down and synthetic insulation, along with the ripstop outer shell, is completely breathable, water-resistant and windproof.

Durability

Constructed with a mix of 20x10D ripstop nylon, the Cerium LT is lightweight and durable. The 20D heavier fabric provides the extra durability, ensuring a less likely chance of ripping or tearing while climbing and the 10D lighter fabric ensure the light weight.

With this mixed fabric strength, you can feel confident that your hoody will very rarely give you problems with durability, even with extensive use.

Comfort and Ease of Movement

The Cerium is streamlined but not constricting in any way. It sits perfectly across the shoulders, chest and arms, and moves with the body easily. While very tall individuals may find the waist area a little short, most users will fail to find any problems. The hem won’t ride up, and the added elasticity ensures easy movement, without allowing drafts to enter.

As I said above, the inner cuffs are elastic to prevent drafts. The outer cuffs also have enough space to allow for gloves, without letting chilly air in.

The full front zipper with chin guard and adjustable drawcord hood, continues to be in line with Cerium’s comfort level. These feature all ensure that no chilly air can enter when completely zipped up and the hood is tightened, while also ensuring that the warmth provided from the mix of down and synthetic insulation lining, will be sealed in.

It is possible that wind blowing directly at the zipper could seep through a little, however, this is the case for most jackets.

About the author 

Mark Whitman

Mark has trekked extensively in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. He founded Mountain IQ in 2014 with the sole aim to be the best online information portal to some of the most popular mountain destinations around the world. When not writing for Mountain IQ, Mark is out exploring the outdoors with his wife!

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